How to Uncover Hidden Assets During Your Divorce

 Posted on June 18, 2026 in Asset Division

During the property division process, you will need to identify all of your assets and determine their value. From there, you and your spouse must reach a fair and equitable agreement on how those assets will be divided. That process can become more difficult if one party tries to hide or conceal assets to influence the outcome.

If you suspect your spouse has hidden assets, understanding how to uncover that activity is an important first step. Knowing your options can help you take the right steps toward a fair and equitable division of property. Our Novi, MI divorce attorneys have over 20 years of experience. In that time, we have helped many clients with property division issues.

What Are the Common Ways People Hide Assets in Divorces in 2026?

There are a variety of ways that spouses may attempt to conceal assets that they do not want to divide with their spouse, including:

• Concealing financial records related to investments or bank accounts

• Purchasing expensive items such as artwork, jewelry, or collectibles, and misreporting the value of these items

• Transferring money to a friend or relative, including by claiming they are paying back debts they owe

• Hiding assets in a family-owned business, such as by paying income to a nonexistent employee, devaluing assets owned by the business, or overpaying taxes with the intent of receiving a refund after the divorce is complete

Financial records can be traced, and courts take concealment seriously. A spouse who is caught hiding assets can face real consequences. This is in line with Michigan’s property division laws, which prioritize equitable distribution (MCL 552.19).

What Are My Legal Options for Recovering Hidden Assets in a Michigan Divorce?

If you are concerned that your spouse has concealed money or property, talk to your attorney. They can help you uncover information about your marital assets through the discovery process.

Failure to fully disclose assets during the divorce process is a form of fraud, and a spouse who does so can face a variety of consequences. If the court finds that your spouse concealed assets, you may be awarded up to 100 percent of what was hidden. Alternatively, the court could give you a larger portion of the remaining marital property. Your spouse may also be required to pay for your attorney’s fees and any other expenses involved in discovering and addressing this issue.

What Are the Steps to File an Asset Dissipation Claim in Michigan?

If you believe your spouse wasted or hid marital assets, you can raise a dissipation claim during your divorce. Start by identifying which assets you believe were misused. This means gathering bank statements, credit card records, investment account history, and any other financial documents that show unusual spending or transfers. The more specific you can be, the stronger your claim.

Next, raise the issue with your attorney as early as possible. Dissipation claims require time to investigate and document. Waiting too long can make it harder to recover records or trace where the money went.

Your attorney will then request financial records through discovery. This can include account statements, tax returns, loan documents, and receipts. If your spouse is uncooperative, your attorney can file a motion to compel the court to order them to turn over the documents.

How Can a Financial Restraining Order Help You Protect Assets During Divorce?

Once a divorce is filed, both spouses are generally expected to maintain the financial status quo. But not everyone follows that expectation. If you are concerned your spouse may sell property, drain accounts, or run up debt, talk to your lawyer right away. They can help you ask the court for a financial restraining order before any damage is done.

This type of order can prohibit either spouse from selling, transferring, hiding, or destroying marital assets while the case is pending. It can also prevent new debt from being taken on without consent. Violating a court order carries serious consequences, which gives it real weight.

You can request this order early in the process. If the situation is urgent, a judge can issue a temporary order quickly. Talking to your attorney right away gives you the best chance of protecting what you have before any damage is done.

How Can Discovery Uncover Hidden Assets in a Michigan Divorce?

Discovery is one of the most powerful tools available in a divorce. It allows both sides to formally request financial information from the other. When one spouse has been less than transparent, discovery can bring the full picture to light.

Interrogatories

Interrogatories are written questions that your spouse must answer in writing and under oath. You can ask about income sources, bank accounts, business interests, debts, and recent financial transactions. 

Because the answers are given under oath, a spouse who lies faces serious legal consequences. Interrogatories are often one of the first steps in uncovering a financial picture that one party tried to keep hidden.

Depositions

Depositions can reveal inconsistencies between what your spouse has said on paper and what they say out loud. They can also be used to question accountants, business partners, or anyone else with knowledge of the marital finances.

Requests for Production

Requests for production ask your spouse to hand over specific documents. These can include bank statements, tax returns, and retirement account records. Pay stubs, property records, and loan applications may also be requested. Business financials are often included as well.

If your spouse refuses or provides incomplete records, your attorney can ask the court to intervene. Documents rarely lie, and a careful review can surface accounts or assets that were never disclosed.

Contact Our Novi, MI Asset Division Lawyers

You deserve to receive a fair share of the property you and your spouse have acquired during your marriage. If your spouse has attempted to unfairly influence the property division process, Elkouri Heath, PLC can advise you of your options, help you uncover assets that were hidden, and address the matter in court. 

Contact our Farmington Hills, MI divorce attorneys today at 248-344-9700 to set up a free consultation and learn more about how we can help with your divorce case.